Backside Attack in SN2 Reactions
- SN2 happens in one step: the nucleophile attacks the carbon at the same time the leaving group leaves.
- The nucleophile attacks from the opposite side of the leaving group.
- This is called a backside attack.
Why it matters:
- It causes the molecule to invert its shape, like an umbrella flipping inside out.
- This is called Walden inversion.
Think: Nucleophile pushes in from the back, leaving group leaves from the front.
Simple takeaway:
- Backside attack → nucleophile attacks opposite the leaving group, flipping the molecule.